Retail Watch: Man opens Salem witch trials-themed distillery in Allentown in tribute to his ancestor, who was hanged

RYAN KNELLER / THE MORNING CALL

Gallows Hill Spirits Co. owner Bob Piano holds a bottle of Tituba's Silver, a silver rum made with a blend of high grade molasses and cane sugar, in front of his distillery's 200-liter still.

Gallows Hill Spirits Co. owner Bob Piano holds a bottle of Tituba's Silver, a silver rum made with a blend of high grade molasses and cane sugar, in front of his distillery's 200-liter still. (RYAN KNELLER / THE MORNING CALL)

The distillery opened with three spirits: Moonstone Rune moonshine, made with corn, cane sugar and water in equal parts to form a “simple and smooth spirit”; Soothsayer vodka, distilled from pure cane sugar in small batches to form a “clean flavor profile with a slight sweetness”; and Tituba’s Silver rum, made from a blend of high grade molasses and cane sugar to give it a “clean and easy drinking flavor.”

Soothsayer is named for Samuel Wardwell, Piano’s eight-times great-grandfather, who was known as the soothsayer of Andover for his ability to predict the future.

“He had a dangerous habit at the time — telling fortunes,” Piano said. “He once accurately predicted that a neighbor would have five daughters before his wife would bear him a son. This ability would eventually cost him his life when witch hysteria came to the neighboring Salem Town.”

Wardwell, along with the names of 24 others who died by execution or while awaiting trial in prison, are listed on a tribute wall.

Other nods to the trials include wall-mounted brooms and lanterns, a framed indictment of Wardwell and a floor-to-ceiling replica of the 17th-century house of Jonathan Corwin, one of the judges of the trials.

The business, housing rear production space with a 200-liter still, offers cocktails ($7-$10) such as an espresso martini, Cape Cod Cran, moonshine old fashioned and rum chai.

The distillery also features wine by Kempton’s Stony Run Winery and four draft beers from local craft breweries such as HiJinx and Lost Tavern. A spiced cream liqueur, chai milk punch, is in the works.

Gallows Hill Spirits Co., often welcoming food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays, is open Wednesday through Sunday. Info: 610-628-9445.

More craft beverage news

The urban winery, owned by friends Bo Trochym and Justin Fretz, is an offshoot of Williams Township vineyard Vigna Del Monte, which Trochym recently took over from his father-in-law, Jack Fulton, according to the business’ website.

The 35-year-old Vigna Del Monte provides grapes and juice to home winemakers and Easton Wine Project features a wide array of wines — from a cabernet sauvignon, lemberger and merlot to a chardonnay, traminette and Silk Mill Rose.

The tasting room showcases live music, local artwork and an industrial look — complete with brick walls, steel beams and sealed concrete flooring. Seating is available at a bar, high- and low-top tables and benches.

A limited small plates menu of red wine chili, truffle popcorn, charcuterie and cheese and more also is available.

As I reported Tuesday, Salmon Pants Brewery is expected to open “probably in June” at 100 E. Susquehanna St. in Allentown, co-owner Jonathan Rotger said.

Rotger and his business partner, John Patello, are looking to create a “friendly environment offering unique beers” along with food, an arts outreach program, entertainment and learning experiences on self-sustaining food production in the former Williams Cafe space, Rotger said.

A 48-seat tasting room will offer a variety of beers on 10 taps.

“The basis for our beers are recipes that use infused flavors, such as coffee, fruits and honey, that can be sourced from responsible producers,” Rotger said.

Rotger and Patello are planning a community garden, local scholarship and educational programs focused on urban farming techniques.

The brewery isn’t the only one coming soon to Allentown.

As I reported in January, Seven Sirens Brewing Co. is hoping to open by early summer in a refurbished building at 526 S. Aubrey St., near Keck Park, according to Jordan Serulneck, who operates the business with Josh Divers.

Lastly, Saucony Creek Brewing Co., a microbrewery and pub headquartered in Maxatawny Township, announced it is in advanced negotiations with the South Central Transit Authority on a lease for the Franklin Street Station in downtown Reading, according to a news release.

The 1920s station, which last operated in 1981, would become Saucony Creek’s second pub.

Saucony Creek plans to maintain the building’s historic appearance and ambiance by using existing fixtures and furniture.

Minor modifications would be needed for the kitchen and a new bar and tables would provide seating for approximately 120 patrons in the former passenger waiting area.

The pub, expected to open by Aug. 15, would showcase live music and a farm-to-table menu featuring “creative, eclectic, healthy, and traditional lunch and dinner meals.” Info: sauconybeer.com.

Easton Public Market news

One business has closed while another is on its way at Easton Public Market:

“We have decided that retail is not our forte and have chosen to stick with and concentrate on food service,” Pichetto wrote on the business’ Facebook page. “We have purchased and are operating Full of Crepe at the market.”

Lastly, Downtown Fashion, a store selling men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, accessories and more, is moving from 734 Hamilton St. to 613 N. Seventh St. in Allentown (across from Supremo Food Market).

A moving sale, featuring 50 percent off men’s and women’s clothing, is going on through the end of March and the business should open in its newly renovated spot by June, owner Gabriel Joseph said. Info: 610-841-1655.

Retail Watch keeps track of new stores, restaurants and banks in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.